Non-dedicated roads

To the Editor:

Like many McHenry County residents, I live on what is called a “non-dedicated” road. These were among the first residential roads in the county. Mine dates back to the late 1800s. For all these years, we have paid the same road and bridge taxes as those living on the more recently developed “dedicated” roads, but we receive no road maintenance. We have been effectively subsidizing the residents of dedicated roads with our tax dollars. The county can make our roads more eligible for dedication by townships by simply amending roadway standards to allow case-by case variances so these lightly traveled heritage roads don’t have to meet thoroughfare standards.

Fortunately, I have found a few helpful commissioners among the County Board. Diane Evertsen, Kathy Bergen-Schmidt, Sandra Salgado, and Paula Yensen are foremost among these. The most supportive new candidates I’ve spoken with are Nick Chirikos, and Mary Margaret Maule. Please vote.